I'm very late to this discussion...
fwiw, I have been downhill alpine skiing for over 30yrs. The easiest setup is an AT setup...a fast and light skimo setup and going to the darkside and skiing down heels locked down in light plastic boots. But if you are willing to learn, maybe take lessons, and watch videos, the S98/NNN-BC combo absolutely rocks on easy and moderate terrain. Western Colorado has these moderate trails that have the perfect angle that would allow for incredibly fast and exhilarating descents on that setup...here in AK, I would kill to have more of that...but here, its either flattish or expert only. lol.
I am personally a bit bored on an AT setup...and anything challenging is either life threatening, avy prone, and/or carries the risk of injuring my old frail bones. So NNN BC makes good sense for me.
So it depends on what type of experience you are looking for and whether you want to put the time and effort in or not. S98/NNN-BC (like the S112) is a great setup for p-turns in good conditions. Especially if the trails are groomed and not too hardpacked. Also excels in late season corn/mash. I'm eventually getting another AT setup for faster, easy, and light ascents/descents...but I'm still using NNNBC more than 95% of the time. If you can improve your technique, in good conditions, on a light NNN-BC setup, you will be waiting for your friends at the top and also at the bottom of the mountain.